What does it mean to migrate? Moving from one part of the world to another, typically due to some sort of push or pull factor. Living in a culture that is different from your own can be both an exciting adventure and a challenging process.
Texas offers a land of significant opportunities that can lift individuals into potential success. Indeed, Maria’s story manifests how Texas provided critical opportunities for self development and social cohesion. For instance, Texas had safer neighborhoods compared to Argentina. Thus, individuals are less likely to be attacked, robbed, mugged, or shot. However, Argentina provided lesser safer environment that secured individual economic, social, and political wellbeing. According to Maria, Argentina had a higher poverty rate and limited job opportunities compared to Texas. Thus, this provided a strategic advantage for Maria's survival. For instance, Maria’s parents got better job opportunities. Maria also applied and was accepted into a better college, which was cheaper compared to the opportunities offered by college's in Argentina.
Adapting to change can be challenging, it's when you are able to take what you're used to and familiar with then transform it into new different ways of living. Adapting to change means you change your behavior and ideas in order to deal with the a new environment or situation. Sometimes people can experience culture shock when trying to adapt to change because of being unfamiliar with different cultures and the feeling of stress. Some strategies that could help cope with adapting to change can include, knowing that culture is relative, being open minded and curious, using your observation skills, asking questions, knowing its ok to experience anxiety, giving yourself and other permission to make mistakes, taking care of you physical health, finding a culture ally, and being patient give yourself time.
Sofia Butts provides an interesting story concerning her experience and history in Texas. She recalls how her grandmother; Jeannette Osterman has played a significant role in shaping her life. Accordingly, Jeannette had the history of Texas and their family background. Sofia recounts that her grandmother was adopted while still young. Jeannette was born in Mexico around 1948 and was adopted from a hospital without a birth certificate. Sofia’s grandmother studied at a local boarding school. Indeed, these stories are fascinating, providing significant insights how the people Mexico valued girl-child education. The education opportunity provides Sofia’s grandmother with an opportunity to work at the United Airlines in Texas. Texas provided a new life for the family including the chance to learn English. The family also experienced new people, food, prices, and jobs. Indeed, this gave Sofia’s grandmother the opportunity to educate her children in Texas. Sofia’s mother met her father at Texas-based College leading to their marriage.
Larry points out that he was born in Texas. However, he has had a fair experience with the blend of Texan and Mexican culture. Indeed, Texas and Mexico supply a rich culture of food, religion, and tradition that influence the Tex-Mex residents. Despite the assimilation, Larry has been significantly influenced by Texan culture. These traditions have stuck around with Larry despite several travels. Texas is special for several reasons. Notably, Larry points out that Texas was once a country of its own. It sustained a robust economy between 1836 and 1845. Texas has also had a fair history of accepting migrants, progressing slavery, hosting significant wars, popular culture, food, and religion.
Jessica recounts an insightful story about Miguel Aleman Tamaulipas, a municipality in Mexico. The location is a five-hour drive from Texas. The journey to these lands provides a memorable experience by a bus ride. Jessica also asserts that Miguel provided good food, snacks, and groceries, enabling people to enjoy Mexican life. Notably, Jessica’s grandmother comes from Miguel Aleman. She would go from Texas to Mexico to meet the grandparent and understand their conditions. Indeed, staying in Mexico was an interesting intervention. Nonetheless, Texas was also a strategic place where Jessica and her cousins spent time with their families. They had opportunities to go to school and study in Texas.
Damian projects his opinions on what the situation on immigration,Before immigration laws were as strict as they are today, one could cross the southern border and return that very same day. As a Mexican-American, I see less and less of my family as they become unable to stay in the U.S. due to visa issues. When asked to describe what it was like for her as an American citizen living in Mexico, she was able to cross freely. When asked to elaborate, she made the Damian's Individual Story. She said that increasing regulation on borders and travel only hurts the people and families.
Gabriella explains that she was born and raised in Texas in a small town called Nederland. She notes that this town serves as a special memory. It shaped her upbringing and family-based structure. Gabriella expounds that the town has a rich history dating back to 1901. These can be related to gushing oil, river fest, and Heritage Festival. These events provided diverse food and traditions that influenced Texas. While Gabriella is Hispanic, she has assimilated into the metropolitan culture within Texas. Indeed, this story provides a significant history of Texas.
Life after change- "Life can change so fast, so unexpectedly, The best is yet to be"
Texas has different traditional cuisines that continue to influence its history. Notably, Amber notes that pizza is one of the most popular cuisines in Texas, loved by individuals of all ages. Amber explains that in recent decades, pizza has emerged as a popular take-out influenced by traditional pizza influence from Italy. Thus, Texas has a strong history of pizza loved by children, men, and old people. According to Amber, the history of pizza in Texas allowed her grandfather to establish a pizza eatery called Rodizio de Pizza that served Texas residents.
Brianna shares in her story,The Garner State Park was officially opened in 1941. John Nance "Cactus Jack" Garner served as vice-president of the United States from 1933 to 1941. The park offers many things for families to do such as mini-golf, floating down the Frio River and hiking multiple trails. The hardest hike I have ever been on was hiking up a mountain with two dogs. We stopped multiple times and got lost many times once, we were up there I remember sitting there not knowing how we were going to get back down because we couldn't remember how we came up.
“My family and I were also not in shape at all to climb a mountain, but we did it anyway. Our oldest dog did not want to walk anymore, and we eventually ran out of water. My dog pushed me into the water, but it was okay because he was happy at the end of the day."
Marissa Sauceda was born September 29, 1993, in Pasadena, Texas. She is the middle child out of three siblings. Marissa's Grandmother was born in 1950 in Carrizo Springs, Texas and moved to Chicago when she was five. My Grandfather was born in San Benito, Texas in 1946. Her mother Angie (Garcia) Sauceda was a stay-at-home mom/wife who spent her time taking care of the house, cooking, cleaning, and volunteering at her children's schools. I lived in Pasadena, Texas pretty much my whole life.
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